A lot of people may not have heard of the artist, let alone the album I'm reviewing. But here's a little summary. The first time I heard "Hope Partlow" was in the fall of 2005 when her first single, "Who We Are" was released. I wasn't a big fan of it but when she released her second single "Sick Inside" I thought, this is a good song. I would later buy the album. Sadly before the end of 2005, "Hope" was dropped by her label "Virgin Records". I'll say more at the end of the review. So here's my track by track review:
1) Who We Are: The title track and first single. The song is an empowering song about being proud to be yourself and not care what society wants you to look like. A couple years after its release, the song was covered by "The Cheetah Girls" for their album "TCG". I didn't like it at first but it grew on me a bit. 8/10
2) Don't Go: This song is a ballad about a relationship where both people are not sure if they want to continue being together or should just end it. Back in'05, the song was one of 4 songs played on her website along with "Who We Are", "Sick Inside", and a remix of "Who We Are" and there were rumors that it was set to be the third single. Whether it was or wasn't, the plan was likely scrapped after "Hope" was dropped from her label. Shame because had it been released as a single, it may have helped boost album sales. It's a great song. 10/10
3) Crazy Summer Nights: This song has a little bit of a country feel to it. It's about having an amazing summer with your best friends and living in the moment because as "Hope" says in the third verse, "they say you can't hold to 16 forever". It's another great song that's very relatable. 10/10
4) Sick Inside: The second and unfortunately final single from the album. When it was released it given a radio remix known as the "Peter Mokran Remix". The song is about kissing a friend's boyfriend on accident because you got caught in the moment and you regret it. The song is mainly known for its video, which features a young "Zac Effron". When I say young I mean before "High School Musical" but he still had that hair. Both versions of the song are great and it was the reason I got the album in the first place. 10/10
5) Girlfriend: In this upbeat song, "Hope" tells a boy that she wants to be his girlfriend and she promises that she'll never lead him on because she likes him for who he is. It's a fun song and also another great one on the album. 10/10
6) Like You Do: This song is about how "Hope" is happy that her boyfriend loves her for who she is and she feels the same way about him. It's a cute ballad but it feels a little bit boring. 7/10
7) I Believe In You: In this upbeat song, "Hope" comforts a friend who feels depressed but she reminds that friend that she believes in them and will always have their back. It's a really sweet song and also fun to listen to. 10/10
8) It's Too Late: This song is a ballad about a relationship that has ended and you wish that you could've apologized for what you said to them but they've already and you know "it's too late" to get them back. It's pretty good. 8/10
9) Cold: Why does this album keep going from ballad to upbeat song? Anyway this song is about how a relationship has changed. In the beginning your partner was so in love with you and now they've become distant and has almost given up on the relationship completely. We've all been there right? It's one of my favorites on the album. 10/10
10) Through It All: This song has a little hint of country music to it. The song is about having your partner loving you for who you are and accepting your craziness. The lyrics and chorus are perfect and it should've been a single. 10/10
11) Everywhere But Here: After a happy song, we come to an angry song. In this song "Hope" has broken up with her boyfriend because she didn't treat her right. I love the guitar part in the song. 8/10
12) Let Me Try: In this song "Hope" seems to be telling her boyfriend, or her maybe her parent to let her make her mistakes and try to find herself. It's the longest song on the album, which may be the reason I don't listen to it much. 7/10
After being dropped from "Virgin Records", "Hope" joined a band called "The Love Willows" with "Ryan Wilson", who she'd later marry. "The Love Willows" signed with Decca Records" and release a single, "Falling Faster" and an album called "Hey! Hey!". Unfortunately the band was dropped from "Decca Records" the same month their album was released. Since then "Hope" and "Ryan" got divorced and she is back to making music, releasing two new songs called "Anymore" and " You Can Have Him".
My favorite songs on the album are: "Through It All", "Don't Go", "Cold", "Sick Inside", "Crazy Summer Nights", "I Believe In You", and "Girlfriend". Out of 120 points I give the album 108 which is 90%, an A.
Thank you for reading this review and if you haven't, give "Hope's" music a listen to.
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